Ask The Candidates 2022

The Burg Watch created an historic first in 2014 when readers submitted questions to the candidates.

Is there something you would like the council candidates to answer to in 2022?

A feedback form has been added to submit questions for the candidates which will be sent to the candidates following Nomination Day August 19, 2022.

Responses will be posted if and when they are received.

Concurrent Committee Members

Amherstburg’s Boards and Committees Appointment Policy, enacted September 26, 2011, could use an update but also adherence to the policy.

PURPOSE OF POLICY

The purpose of the Town of Amherstburg Boards and Committees Appointment Policy is to ensure a fair and equitable appointment process to Town Boards and Committees where:

  • The most qualified applicants are appointed as Members; and
  • Applicants are representative of Amherstburg’s diverse community with a broad wealth of experience and skills.”

Section 3.4. states Members will not be appointed to more than two (2) Boards or Committees in a Term of Council.

Are Committees representative of a diverse community if concurrent members are appointed and rules are waived?  

Chris Drew:

  • Accessibility Advisory Committee
  • Dangerous Dog Appeal
  • Property Standards
  • Livestock Evaluator 2015
  • Fence Viewer 2015

Tony Pietrangelo:

  • Accessibility Advisory Committee
  • Fence Viewer
  • Seniors Advisory

Shirley Curson-Prue: Councillor Prue removed himself from discussion and voting due to his declared conflict of interest re her appointment to the Accessibility Advisory Committee

  • Accessibility Advisory Committee
  • Heritage
  • Parks and Recreation

Murray Sellars:

  • Co-An Park
  • Fene Viewer
  • Livestock Evaluator

Anthony Campigotto:

  • Committee of Adjustment
  • Drainage
  • Property Standards

Jennie Lajoie:

  • Co-An Park
  • Heritage

Christine Easterbrook:

  • Accessibility Advisory Committee
  • Inclusive Community Program Advisory Steering Committee

Kathy DiBartolomeo:

  • Seniors
  • Inclusive Community Program Advisory Steering Committee

Amherstburg’s Open Air 2022 Barriers Part Three – Maps

Amherstburg is not Bogota.

Populations:
Amherstburg 21,936
Bogota 11, 167,000

Amherstburg’s Open Air event where, for the third year, barriers prevent the almost 5,000 persons with disabilities from equally participating in their community: barriers to the post office, banks, hair salons and parking to allow for games, patios, entertainment to occupy the streets.

Visit Amherstburg website includes two links to the same map:

“To assist you we have this map to help you best decide where to park your vehicle. You’ll see we have added additional accessible parking spots at the Open Air thresholds as well as additional bike racks to help encourage active transportation.

Click here to see additional bicycle, vehicle and accessible parking areas.”

The first map:downtown Amherstburg map closed streets during spring to fall weekends

The second map:downtown Amherstburg map closed streets during spring to fall weekends accessible parking

Who decided it was a good idea to have two links to one map on the same page?

Amherstburg’s Open Air 2022 Barriers To Inclusion Part Two

Amherstburg is not Bogota.

This is a continuation of photos showing the barriers to Amherstburg’s downtown due to its ‘Open Air’ event where open streets are closed to vehicular traffic on the weekends from May to September.

barriers to Murray Street in Amherstburg, Ontario during the weekends of summer months

Amherstburg’s Open Air event where, for the third year, barriers prevent the almost 5,000 persons with disabilities from equally participating in their community: barriers to the post office, banks, hair salons and parking to allow for games, patios, entertainment to occupy the streets.

Further Details About Ombudsman Report July 2022

The Ombudsman found that the Town did not contravene the Act’s open meeting requirements in closing these meetings to the public. However, the Town contravened section 239(4)(a) of the Act on September 13 and November 16, 2021 by failing to state by resolution the general nature of the matters to be considered in camera. The Town also contravened the requirements of section 239(7) of the Act by failing to keep a record of what occurred in camera on November 8 and November 16, 2021.

Read the full report here.

Then-Clerk Valerie Critchley’s response to concerns about in camera minutes were posted on March 4, 2022 in this post: Lack of In-camera Information = Lack of Transparency?

Also read:

Posted on June 29, 2018 Ombudsman: Council And Joint Police Advisory Committee Wrong To Discuss RFP In Camera

Posted on January 6, 2012 Ombudsman Posts ‘Behind Closed Doors’ Report

Town To Hire Financial Services Clerk

The town is filling a vacancy and applicants have until August 2 to apply.

The town’s website notes, “Reporting to either the Supervisor of Revenue or the Supervisor of Accounting, the Financial Services Clerk follows established methods for provision of services to Town departments.  Responsibilities may include Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Utility Billing, Property Taxes and Payroll support functions for all departments under the auspices of the Town of Amherstburg.”

Full details on this page.

KPMG Makes Similar Recommendation

One of KPMG’s recommendations is similar to mine from months ago:

KPMG:

  1. The Town could consider undertaking an update of the Procurement Policy to ensure information in the Policy is sufficient and relevant to current operations at the Town.

MINE: The town’s Procurement Policy should be updated to reflect provincial legislation.

To view the full KPMG report, click on this link from the agenda.